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A technique that utilizes transposition of the internal obturator muscle for repair of perineal hernias was evaluated. Forty-two male dogs were followed for at least one year after surgery. The repair failed in only one animal, a dog with previously operated bilateral hernias. Microangiography demonstrated an adequate blood supply to the transposed internal obturator muscles of two dogs examined at three weeks and three months after surgery. H E H I G H RECURRENCE RATE (15-46%y reportedT with conventional methods for repair of perineal hernias has led to the development of alternative techniques. Transplantation of the superficial gluteal muscle and transposition of the internal obturator muscle have been used."a4 Although the original report of superficial gluteal transplantation indicated a low recurrence rate,3 a recent study reported a higher recurrence rate than with conventional r e~a i r .~ Transposition of the internal obturator muscle has been used at the University of Georgia since 1978. A retrospective study was conducted to determine the efficacy of the internal obturator technique. Materials and MethodsSurgical repair consisted of transposition of the internal obturator muscle.5 The internal obturator muscle was elevated from the caudolateral ischium; the tendon of insertion was severed; and the muscle was transposed into the defect created by the hernia (Fig. 1). Sutures were placed between the internal obturator muscle, superficial gluteal muscle, and external anal sphincter (Fig. 2). If the levator ani muscle and coccygeus muscle were strong enough to hold sutures, these muscles were included in the repair. Some surgeons also placed sutures through the sacrotuberous ligament .Experienced surgeons performed the surgery on 36 dogs; interns or residents operated on six dogs. Monofilament nonabsorbable suture material was used in 20 operations. A combination of chromic catgut and monofilament nonabsorbable suture was used in 22 dogs. Unilateral surgery was used in the repair of 25 unilateral hernias. Three unilateral hernias had bilateral repairs because of weakness on the opposite side. All dogs but one with bilateral hernias were treated with bilateral surgical repair. In one dog, a large suture abscess from a previous surgery prevented repair of one side. Of the 42 dogs, 41 were castrated using a prescrotal or caudolateral approach.G Permission for castration was refused in one case.Owners were contacted by telephone a minimum of one year after surgery. They were asked questions concerning complications such as fecal incontinence, continued dyschezia, recurrence of the hernia, or other unrelated problems with the dog. Results were classified as follows: Excellent-no special management of the animal required, no evidence of tenesmus, and no recurrence of the operated hernia; Good-no recurrence of the operated hernia, but one or more problems related to the perineal hernia or its surgical repair developed or continued; and Poor-recurrence of the operated hernia, permanent fecal incontinence, or conti...

Abstract. A paralytic disease in swine was observed on three farms located in the same geographical area of Georgia. Postmortem examinations revealed the paralysis to be related to spinal poliomalacia. Feed collected from two of the affected farms was used in a feeding study, and the paralytic condition was reproduced. In pigs from both the feeding trial and field cases, the poliomyelomalacia was characterized by focal, symmetrical lesions located in the cervical and lumbar intumescences. Selenium was detected in the feed at levels ranging from 19 to 24 ppm.

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Abstract. Intracranial epidermoid cysts were identified within the fourth ventricle of three dogs. The cysts measured up to 2.5 cm in diameter, were lined by stratified squamous epithelium, and contained intraluminal keratinaceous debris. Secondary compression of the medulla oblongata and cerebellum caused neurologic dysfunction in two dogs; the cyst was an incidental finding in the other dog. Similarities between these dogs and three previously reported intracranial epidermoid cysts in dogs included an apparent predilection for young dogs and involvement of the cerebellopontine angle, fourth ventricle, or both.Epidermoid (epidermal) cysts are common benign skin tumors that arise from heterotopic epithelium. They are lined by squamous epithelium and contain intraluminal keratinaceous debris [ 101. Similar tumors seen intracranially in m a n are thought to occur due to inclusion of epithelial elements at the time of closure of the neural groove [3, 91. Intracranial epidermoid cysts also have been reported [6,7, 111 in three dogs (table I). However, n o detailed clinical and pathologic accounts of these dogs were given. This paper describes three additional dogs with intracranial epidermoid cysts. Materials and MethodsThe three dogs were referred to the University of Georgia Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital for evaluation. Pertinent clinical features of these three dogs and three other reported intracranial epidermoid cysts in dogs are listed in table I. The three dogs of this report were all two years of age or less and included two males and one female. Two were English setters and one was a bloodhound. They were euthanatized due to the severity of neurologic dysfunction, and routine necropsies were done. Brains were fixed in 10% buffered formalin, serially sectioned, cut at 5 to 6 pm, and stained with hematoxylin and eosin (HE). ResultsDogs 1 and 2 had neurologic deficits compatible with a central vestibular lesion. Neurologic deficits in dog 3 were thought to be primarily cerebrocortical in origin.Hematologic and blood chemistry values were normal. Cerebrospinal fluid was evaluated in each dog: protein was elevated mildly in dogs 1 and 3, and increased 646